The area is perhaps best known for its alcohol: some of the world's most famous brandy is produced in the town of Cognac, while acres of productive vineyards also lie within the department. Charente is not a coastal department, so its appeal is largely in the beautiful countryside and attractive towns.

Brits tend to tour around the departmental capital of Angoulême, a historic city with convenient transport and rail links. The writer Balzac once wrote of Angouleme: "Up above the Nobility and Power, below, commerce and money," and the city is indeed divided into two sections. On a hill above the Charente River lies the historic Angouleme – a gathering of picturesque traditional French houses clustered around the beautiful and ancient cathedral. Needless to say, property prices are more expensive here than in lower Angoulême, which is where the majority of the city's shops and commercial enterprises are situated.

Getting to Charente currently isn't quite as simple as reaching the neighbouring departments. There are no direct flights from the UK, although it's an easy drive from the international airports at Poitiers, Limoges and La Rochelle. However, a new airport is set to open this spring just outside Angoulême, which will make access to the department far easier and no doubt boost both tourism and property prices. In particular, the airport will open up the area of Cognac, which is already popular with overseas buyers and is tipped by experts for a property boom. A new airport always spells good news for an area's property market, and Charente is unlikely to prove an exception. Look out for soaring property prices this spring, following the opening of the new Angoulême-Cognac international airport. "The new air links will have a positive effect on the property market in and around Cognac and Jarnac," says Graham Downie, who owns a property search agency in Poitou-Charentes. He thinks Cognac is set to become the departmental hotspot. "There are a few factors that make the Cognac area worth investing in. Firstly, there is the convenient location – Cognac is in the middle of four airports and has good TGV links. Then there is the fact that this is a very affluent area because of the vines, with many nice chateaux."

Property experts have observed that a combination of the new transport links and extortionate prices in other areas of the region are pushing buyers towards Charente. "The northern departments of Poitou-Charentes, the Deux-Sevres and Vienne, have traditionally benefitted from a good selection of properties for modest budgets," says Cheryl Townend of the French Property Shop. "However, prices in 2005 and 2006 rose to the point that they are now equal or greater than the southern Poitou-Charentes and northern Dordogne. As these areas are more appealing in landscape and culture to the overseas buyer, most buyers are turning towards the Charente, which generated a fairly strong market for 2007 and will continue for 2008. There are still some good properties to be had for 130,000 euros and the prices have stabilised." Although those in the know are predicting a boom for Charente, it seems as though property will still be a buyers market for some months to come. This is largely because of slowing national market. "Things here in the south of Charente have also slowed down significantly, however many UK buyers are still looking," says Eleanor Ramsey of Etang Vallier Services. "Their budget has diminished a bit and more and more buyers are looking at new builds which give them a guarantee of quality and limit their unexpected costs after purchase." She adds that the window to purchase at lower prices is small – the market is expected to pick up later in 2008. "In new developments, like Etang Vallier, the prices are holding and good value, but you may be able to negotiate some additional options if you buy now to fill gaps in construction schedules. I wouldn't expect this to last much past spring."

Of course, most French property buyers like to combine investment potential with a great holiday location – and Charente is certainly a great backdrop for any vacation. The weather is temperate year-round, the countryside is perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling and, despite the fact that the department is not located on the coast, you only have to cross the border into Charente-Maritime to find some of France's best sandy beaches. Add to this an abundance of traditional properties, many for sale with land, and you have many Brit's dream investment prospect.

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Article published 23 April 2008